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The differences between category analysts and analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a category analyst, becoming an analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an analyst has an average salary of $73,007, which is higher than the $60,658 average annual salary of a category analyst.
The top three skills for a category analyst include powerpoint, IRI and data analysis. The most important skills for an analyst are customer service, troubleshoot, and data analysis.
| Category Analyst | Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $60,658 | $73,007 |
| Hourly rate | $29.16 | $35.10 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 17,182 | 253,138 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A category analyst is responsible for evaluating the category management systems to improve efficiency and maximize the productivity of distribution departments and achieve the highest customer satisfaction. Category analysts coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors, negotiate pricing contracts, research on current market trends for product selection, and maintain the adequacy of stock inventories. They also develop cost-reduction techniques by conducting data analysis and studying the current operational policies. A category analyst works closely with the marketing and sales team to identify business opportunities, implementing promotional techniques, and increase brand awareness to the public market.
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
Category analysts and analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Category Analyst | Analyst | |
| Average salary | $60,658 | $73,007 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $53,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Amazon | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a category analyst and an analyst in terms of educational background:
| Category Analyst | Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between category analysts' and analysts' demographics:
| Category Analyst | Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% | Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 11.9% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 12% |